Legislative Activity

The VA CPE Modernization Act updates and standardizes the reimbursement process for continuing professional education expenses for Department of Veterans Affairs health care professionals. The bill establishes a guaranteed annual reimbursement of up to $2,000 for a wide range of medical staff, including physicians, nurses, and social workers. This measure ensures that VA health care providers can maintain their professional credentials and stay current with evolving medical standards.

The LICENSE Act of 2025 aims to streamline the commercial driver’s license (CDL) process by modernizing testing regulations. It establishes standardized training requirements for CDL knowledge test examiners and grants states the flexibility to administer driving skills tests to applicants regardless of their state of residence or training location.

The Protecting First Responders from Secondary Exposure Act of 2025 authorizes the use of federal grant funds to better equip and train emergency personnel. This legislation enables first responders to purchase specialized containment devices and receive training to prevent accidental secondary exposure to fentanyl and other lethal substances.

The SANE Act of 2025 mandates that all Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals and urgent care facilities provide access to qualified sexual assault forensic examiners. The bill also ensures that survivors receive immediate referrals for mental health services, utilizing community providers if VA care is not available within 30 days. These requirements are designed to improve support for veterans without compromising existing patient care responsibilities.

The Pet Food Uniform Regulatory Reform (PURR) Act of 2025 establishes a streamlined, uniform federal regulatory framework for pet food to replace the current patchwork of state-level requirements. By centralizing oversight under the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine, the bill standardizes ingredient reviews, labeling, and marketing claims to improve marketplace certainty and innovation. Ultimately, this Act aims to enhance the nationwide availability of safe, nutritious, and affordable food for companion animals.

The Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act of 2025 expands Medicare coverage to include all services legally authorized under a chiropractor’s state license, moving beyond the current restriction limited to manual spinal manipulation. This legislation aligns Medicare benefits with private insurance and other federal health programs to better reflect modern chiropractic practice. To provide these expanded services, chiropractors will be required to complete a one-time training program verified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

The Muhammad Ali Congressional Gold Medal Act authorizes the presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to Muhammad Ali in recognition of his extraordinary athletic achievements and lifelong humanitarian contributions. The bill directs the Secretary of the Treasury to design and strike the medal for presentation to his wife, Lonnie Ali, and authorizes the production and sale of bronze duplicates.

The Medicare Hearing Aid Coverage Act of 2025 expands Medicare benefits to include coverage for hearing aids and related examinations starting January 1, 2026. Additionally, the bill mandates a comprehensive GAO study to evaluate current hearing loss programs and provide recommendations for improving access and care for beneficiaries.

The Combating Cartels on Social Media Act of 2025 directs federal agencies to assess and counter the use of social media and digital platforms by transnational criminal organizations for illicit recruitment and operations. The bill mandates the development of a comprehensive national strategy to improve interagency coordination, enhance intelligence analysis, and foster community outreach. This initiative aims to disrupt criminal activities—such as human and narcotics trafficking—while ensuring the protection of civil rights, privacy, and civil liberties.

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand the railroad track maintenance credit by increasing the per-mile tax credit to $6,100 and implementing annual inflation adjustments starting in 2026. It also extends the eligibility window for qualifying maintenance expenditures to include costs incurred through 2023. These updates aim to provide greater financial support for ongoing railroad infrastructure improvements.

The Rosie the Riveter Commemorative Coin Act directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue a series of commemorative coins in 2028 to honor the diverse women who served on the Home Front during World War II. Proceeds from the sale of these coins will support the Rosie the Riveter Trust in its efforts to maintain the Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park and fund educational programs. This initiative ensures the legacy of these essential workers is preserved and recognized through a national numismatic program.

The Department of Education Protection Act prohibits the Department of Education from using federal funds to reorganize, decentralize, or reduce its staffing and operations. This legislation mandates that the Department must maintain the structure, authority, and functions that were in place as of January 1, 2025.

The CHILD Act of 2025 aims to lower childcare costs by doubling the maximum pre-tax contribution limits for dependent care flexible spending accounts to $10,000 for most filers. Additionally, the bill mandates annual inflation adjustments to these limits to ensure they keep pace with rising costs. These changes take effect starting with the 2025 tax year.

The Skills Investment Act of 2025 modernizes Coverdell education savings accounts into "Coverdell lifelong learning accounts," expanding their use to include a wide range of career and technical training expenses. The bill increases flexibility for adult learners by raising contribution age limits and introduces new tax incentives, including a business tax credit for employer contributions and a tax deduction for individual account holders. These changes aim to support workforce development and lifelong skill acquisition for Americans of all ages.

The Native American Health Savings Improvement Act ensures that individuals receiving care through the Indian Health Service or tribal organizations remain eligible to open and contribute to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). By clarifying that these services do not count as disqualifying health coverage, the bill expands access to tax-advantaged savings for Native Americans.

The HEADWAY Act updates credentialing requirements for Early Head Start teachers to improve workforce accessibility while maintaining quality standards. The bill mandates that each classroom have at least one fully qualified teacher, while requiring all other staff to actively pursue a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. To support this professional development, agencies are required to provide mentorship for teachers working toward their certifications.

The "Proxy Voting for New Parents Resolution" allows Members of the House, Delegates, and the Resident Commissioner who have recently given birth or whose spouse has given birth to designate another Member to vote on their behalf in the House, in committee, and in the Committee of the Whole for a period of 12 weeks. This proxy voting authority can begin before the birth if a doctor advises that the pregnancy presents a serious medical condition or that she is unable to travel safely. The resolution outlines specific procedures for designating, changing, and revoking proxy designations, ensuring transparency and adherence to instructions. Members whose votes are cast by proxy will not be counted for quorum purposes.

This bill designates the United States Postal Service facility located at 107 North Hoyne Avenue in Fritch, Texas, as the "Chief Zeb Smith Post Office." All official references to this facility will henceforth bear this name in honor of Chief Zeb Smith.

The Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg Congressional Gold Medal Act authorizes the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Jens Stoltenberg in recognition of his distinguished leadership as NATO Secretary General. The bill honors his pivotal role in strengthening the Alliance, fostering international unity, and advancing global security. It also provides for the production and sale of bronze duplicates of the medal.

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) Act of 2025 reauthorizes critical funding for the protection and restoration of the Great Lakes ecosystem. This legislation secures $500 million annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to support ongoing environmental recovery efforts.